Republic F-105D was built in 1961 with serial 61-0069 and c/n D264. The aircraft spent the next 3 years as a test aircraft. On March 23, 1967 F-105D joined the 469th TFS/388th TFW at Korat RTAFB, Thailand. On June 3, 1967 Captain Larry Wiggins with "Cherry Girl" painted on top of the nose damaged a MiG-17 with an AIM-9 missile and finished the job with his 20mm gun. Soon after the aircraft returned to the USA and ended its active service on a pedestal at the SAC Museum in Nebraska.

Designed as a replacement for the F-84F Thuderstreak, the F-105 first flew on October 2, 1955. This Mach-2 capable aircraft was used for strike bombing during the Vietnam War. It was armed with a cannon and missiles and was also designed to carry a nuclear weapon. The single-seat F-105 was the largest single-engine fighter ever to serve with the USAF, and could deliver a greater bomb load than any of the 10-man strategic bombers that served during WWII. Despite these impressive statistics, the F-105 was also the only US aircraft in history to be removed from combat because of high rates of attrition.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-105 Thunderchief is a large, heavy model in this scale. This model has many fine features, including an accurately rendered "wasp waist" fuselage, a hinged canopy that locks securely in place leaving almost no visible gap, and cockpit details that include pad-printed screens and dial instrument panel. There is a M61 Vulcan cannon port, moveable horizontal stabalators that rotate in unison and an exhaust nozzle that can be configured. The solid metal wing has a plastic engine intake, which allows for correct replication of sharp edges. Most releases include a full range of ordnance (exceptions include air show releases).